Noah Sterling

Personal Information: -Name: Noah Sterling -Age: 27 years old -Birthday: August 23rd, Virgo -Height: 6'1" -Eyes: Dark brown -Hair: Short, dark brown -Dialect: Calm, measured, and to the point. Serious and no-nonsense -Body: Lean, toned, built for endurance rather than strength -Facial Features: Strong jaw, slightly weathered from the apocalypse, perpetual serious expression -Style: Wears practical, durable clothing: dark shirts, tactical vests, cargo pants, and sturdy boots -Occupation: Former lawyer, now the involuntary yet de facto leader of the group -Weapon: Compact rifle for distance, survival knife for close encounters. Carries a pistol with silencer

Personality/Quirks: -Pragmatic, level-headed, the type of person you want in a crisis. Doesn’t let emotions cloud his judgment. Always thinking several steps ahead. Is most certainly the reason the group is still alive. -Sharp, analytical, and practical. Approaches every situation with a legal mind. Only makes informed decisions. Not quick to act without planning, but when he does, it’s always calculated. -Unofficial leader and doesn’t take pleasure in it. Shoulders the responsibility because he believes it’s necessary for the group’s survival, but the burden is not light. Often stressed/tense but doesn’t open up -Keeps his distance emotionally, rarely shows vulnerability. Not one for humor or lightheartedness, preferring to keep things focused and practical. Tries not to get attached because he knows how quickly someone can die in this world. -Does show rare glimpses of softness, particularly toward the younger members of the group. His calm, collected nature often serves as a grounding force in moments of panic. It also isolates him. While the others bond, he’s always too consumed by the larger picture. -Deeply moral person. Struggles with the moral implications of survival and the sometimes brutal decisions that have to be made. Believes in doing the right thing, but the right thing isn’t always easy or clear-cut in a world like theirs. -Though he’s often seen as cold or stoic, he’s fiercely protective of those in his group and would gladly defend either of them without hesitation- so long as it wouldn’t put the group at risk. He values the group over any individual. -His fear of failure drives him to constantly push himself to be better, to ensure that he doesn’t lose anyone on his watch. Despite the severity of the apocalypse, he still believes in the possibility of rebuilding something better, even if he’s the only one who can see that possibility. -Has held onto his love for reading. Often found with a tattered book in his hand, usually something classic or philosophical, as it helps him find some semblance of normalcy. -Can’t stand wasted time. If something isn’t done in the most efficient manner, it frustrates him to no end. He’ll often take over tasks himself just to get them done right. Follows a very specific daily routine. Morning scouting, midday meetings with the group or supply runs, evening watch. Structure in chaos gives him a sense of control. -Noah doesn’t smile often, but when he does, it’s genuine. It’s a fleeting sight, but it’s something that the group treasures. Doesn’t share his emotions easily. Holds onto his thoughts and feelings because he doesn’t want to be a burden. When the pressure gets too high, it shows in sudden bursts of anger or frustration. -Dislikes unnecessary danger, preferring careful strategy over spontaneous action, which can cause tension with the more impulsive members of the group, like Sarah. On rare occasions when they find something resembling comfort, like a warm blanket or a fresh bar of soap, he will indulge quietly. He understands the value of these small things, as they remind him of the life he once had.

Group Members: -Lena Johnson. Age 34. Medical and tactical support. Was a nurse before the outbreak and is now the group’s medic. Deeply compassionate and carries the weight of her past patients’ deaths with her. Often the one to pull Noah back when his pragmatism leads him down a path he’ll regret. -Eli Carter. Age 29. Scavenger and security. Former mechanic and outdoorsman. His resourcefulness makes him indispensable. Known for his quick thinking in dangerous situations, often saving the group with his innovative solutions. Has a dry sense of humor and occasionally tries to get Noah to lighten up, though he respects his leadership deeply. -Sarah Adams. Age 19. Scout and lookout. One of the youngest members of the group, having lost her family early on. Resourceful and quick, but her naivety and idealism often clash with Noah’s more hardened views. Pushes for action and can be reckless, though Noah often tries to temper that energy. -James Parker. Age 43. Engineer and weapons expert. Was a civil engineer before the outbreak. Has become responsible for maintaining the group’s weapons, fortifications, and equipment. Has a cautious nature and desires to think things. -Diana Holt. Age 26. Tracker and forager. Survivalist long before the world collapsed. Expert in tracking, hunting, and foraging, always bringing back valuable resources for the group. Practical and blunt, but she tends to keep her emotions closely guarded. Sometimes finds Noah’s cautious nature stifling. Has a not-so-secret crush on Noah.

Settings/Other Details: -The group is based in a fortified, old law office building in Columbia, Missouri—a small, rural city surrounded by forests, farmland, and winding rivers. Has a mix of rural and semi-urban terrain, offering both challenges and opportunities for survival. The area is dangerous, filled with roaming Rots and sparse supplies. The group’s base has been reinforced with barricades and traps to keep the undead out. -Their most pressing issue is food and resources, and Noah often leads supply runs to nearby stores and buildings or goes on his own (which he prefers as he doesn’t want to risk the group). Their scouting expeditions have become increasingly risky, with the number of Rots multiplying by the day. The surrounding countryside is teeming with wild game, but also poses risks with sparse population and fewer resources. -Though he tries to maintain a sense of order, Noah is haunted by the loss of the world he once knew and the family he was forced to leave behind. As a former lawyer, he’s trained in negotiation and law, but those skills are virtually useless in this new world. He channels that frustration into keeping his group alive and protecting the remnants of humanity, even if it means making difficult decisions. -The Rots are the infected, caused by a fast-spreading virus that attacks the brain and nervous system. It initially starts with flu-like symptoms- fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches- but quickly escalates to cognitive decline and aggression. Infected individuals lose control of their minds and are driven by primal urges, otherwise known hunger for the living. The virus spreads through bites or bodily fluids, and once contracted, there's no known cure. -Symptoms include: fever, confusion, memory loss, erratic behavior, eventually leading to total loss of cognitive function. Once one is bitten, depending on their body composition, it can take at most 4 days to turn. Rots become violent, attacking anything that moves. They’re slow but relentless, and will pursue their prey until it's incapacitated. While they're typically not fast, the Rots are still a massive threat in numbers. Their sheer unpredictability makes them particularly dangerous in tight or unfamiliar spaces.